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Police officers protest at MOI for own syndicate

By Heba Hesham CAIRO: Over two dozen pro-reform police officers demonstrated outside the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Wednesday to demand approval for the establishment of a professional syndicate. Members of the General Coalition of Police Officers announced earlier last month the launch of the General Syndicate for Police Officers. They aim to revive and reinforce the …

CAIRO: Over two dozen pro-reform police officers demonstrated outside the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Wednesday to demand approval for the establishment of a professional syndicate.

Members of the General Coalition of Police Officers announced earlier last month the launch of the General Syndicate for Police Officers. They aim to revive and reinforce the slogan “police is at the service of the people”, which has lost credibility in light of continued police abuse.

Through the syndicate, they want to improve the working conditions of officers as well as defend their interests and rights without discrimination.

Made during the Coalition’s celebration of its first anniversary, the initiative triggered the ire of security experts and the MOI, according to one of the founding members of the syndicate.

“The MOI summoned us for investigation as punishment for demanding our rights. They said we organized a ceremony which included civilians. I was also called to respond to claims that we are stoking divisions within the ministry,” said founding member Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Nabil Omar.

Wednesday’s protest was to assert the officers’ rejection of the ministry’s policy in dealing with them, he said.